Rating: 
Summary: An Elegant Literary Time Capsule -- Not To Be Missed
Review: "The Apprentice" is a book unlike any I've read -- for the record, that's a GOOD thing! Lewis "Scooter" Libby's first novel brought to life for me a fascinating period and place in history (1903, rural Japan) of which I knew very little. The world of the snowstorm-ravaged inn at the center of the story is at times mysterious, dangerous, and sweetly sensual, populated by vividly-drawn characters whose perils and emotions will touch all but the most provincial contemporary reader. Libby's prose is economical, yet remarkably evocative -- I could smell the smoky fire and wet fur in the overcrowded inn, hear the sounds of the violent storm, and feel the stinging of the driving snow against my face. Bravo, Scooter! Looking forward to your next literary effort.
Rating:
Summary: An Elegant Literary Time Capsule -- Not To Be Missed
Review: "The Apprentice" is a book unlike any I've read -- for the record, that's a GOOD thing! Lewis "Scooter" Libby's first novel brought to life for me a fascinating period and place in history (1903, rural Japan) of which I knew very little. The world of the snowstorm-ravaged inn at the center of the story is at times mysterious, dangerous, and sweetly sensual, populated by vividly-drawn characters whose perils and emotions will touch all but the most provincial contemporary reader. Libby's prose is economical, yet remarkably evocative -- I could smell the smoky fire and wet fur in the overcrowded inn, hear the sounds of the violent storm, and feel the stinging of the driving snow against my face. Bravo, Scooter! Looking forward to your next literary effort.
Rating:
Summary: Kurosawa's Name of the Rose.
Review: After having been exposed to an avalanche of adds in the Washington Post, that cleverly juxtaposed literary ability with it's author's prominent membership in the current Bush administration, I decided to give Libby's Apprentice a fair chance. I'm glad I did.While others have already made remarks on the similarity between the narrative structure of The Apprentice and some of Kurosawa's movies, the combination of a young man finding his way through snow and life amidst a web of intrigues also brought Eco's "Name of the Rose" to mind. While using a style of prose that sometimes approaches the "twisted level" dangerously, Libby gives a masterful impressionistic picture of a gathering of strangers inside a small inn, while a blizzard is raging outside. The young apprentice, who is in charge during the innkeeper's absence, sets out on a rescue mission during this storm and unwittingly gets caught up in a political intrigue. Intertwined with this main plot is the apprentice's growing infatuation with an adolescent girl accompanying a performer, who is among the guests in the inn. While Eco showed his semiotic background in his Name of the Rose, Libby explores his judicial background both subtly and effectively in this novel. In despite of the lack of a central older guide the apprentice finds his way out of the maze. On top the mystery part of the novel, Libby's description of the storm and all other manifestations of Mother Nature reflect a non-apprentice level of impressionistic poetry. While Libby is too skilled an author to provide the reader with airtight evidence at the end of the book, I was impressed by the subtle way in which the apprentice drew his conclusions after leaving the maze and stepping out of the metaphorical snow. Just like Helen Dewitt, Lewis Libby is an author whose debut already reflects seasoned mastery
Rating:
Summary: One of my top 5 ever!
Review: I read this in hardcover and have just bought a dozen of the paperback for friends and family. Libby is a genius when it comes to plot. The suspense is delicious, the settings make you believe you are in this kind of Japanese netherworld. Can't recommend it highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: Sexy stuff....
Review: It may seem hackneyed to say that Libby is a master story teller, but, since that is what novels are all about -- He is! I was totally enthralled by his ability to capture the setting: the Japanese countryside at the turn of the century during a smallpox epidemic. Everyone suspects everyone else -- and there is a sinister undertone of both romance and danger. Strongly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Japanese whodunit in the tradition of alan furst
Review: It may seem hackneyed to say that Libby is a master story teller, but, since that is what novels are all about -- He is! I was totally enthralled by his ability to capture the setting: the Japanese countryside at the turn of the century during a smallpox epidemic. Everyone suspects everyone else -- and there is a sinister undertone of both romance and danger. Strongly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Exotic setting, pedestrian writing
Review: It's bound to sell, because some folks will insist it's a culturally-concealed roman a clef. However, this at-times-wooden, inordinately dark and ultimately confusing novel reads like what it is: a hard-working politician's attempt to get away from the stress of his workday. Or perhaps he's coped with too many weeks "at an undisclosed location"? I give it three stars for effort but suggest Libby take up one of the martial arts instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Politicians should stick to their knitting . . .
Review: It's bound to sell, because some folks will insist it's a culturally-concealed roman a clef. However, this at-times-wooden, inordinately dark and ultimately confusing novel reads like what it is: a hard-working politician's attempt to get away from the stress of his workday. Or perhaps he's coped with too many weeks "at an undisclosed location"? I give it three stars for effort but suggest Libby take up one of the martial arts instead.
Rating:
Summary: Sexy stuff....
Review: Libby's story builds and builds and builds until it reaches a crescendo of sexual and political tension. What a great read! Hope he is working on something new....
Rating:
Summary: Explore their tortured, demented souls....
Review: Personally, I find the Japanese weird and constipated beyond all reason. But they have developed a helluva good cuisine (love that wasabi!), have fought some amazing fights and are pretty fabulous engineers. So, if you find them strange but fascinating, this book will enhance your understand of their tortured, demented souls. Read it for the prose, read it for the setting, read it for what you will learn about what makes modern Japan the productive, fearful, strange place it is. Most of all, read it because Libby is a writer that we want to hear more from, and undoubtedly will.
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